About this Sacred Place
The Northeast Interfaith Peace Garden was planted on the grounds of St. Anthony of Padua Church in 2000. Since that time, the Garden has become a place of peace and healing for all who come to visit this sacred space. Over the years, the Garden has continued to grow, so that as you stroll through today, you’ll find flowering trees and shrubs that change with the seasons, a stepping stone footpath, a lighted fountain and pool that provide the relaxing sound of bubbling water, teak benches that sit in light and shadow, and journals where you can record your reflections, and read the inspirational thoughts of others who have come to the Garden.
The Northeast Interfaith Peace Garden is open to all, located in the community of Gardenville in northeast Baltimore. The Garden welcomes all to come and spend some quiet time in its atmosphere of peace and serenity.
A focal point within the Northeast Interfaith Peace Garden is a 43-foot labyrinth made of brick paving stones. For centuries, people of every creed and every culture have looked to the labyrinth as a symbol of the path we walk throughout our lives.
Brochures are always available that explain how to walk the labyrinth. And if you wish, a journal is also available where you can record the thoughts and feelings you experience in this Garden of peace and healing.
In 2008, another section of the Northeast Interfaith Peace Garden was opened. In addition to the labyrinth and meditation garden, you can
now walk through the Sacred Writings Garden as well. This is a section of the Garden dedicated to interfaith understanding through highlighting some of the sacred writings of the world’s major religious traditions.
A circular stone path winds through the Sacred Writings Garden. As you walk along this path, you will encounter five small gardens, individually dedicated to Christianity, Judaism, Islam, the Earth Religions, and the Eastern Religions. Each garden contains a plaque on which are written the words of scripture sacred to that religion. In each garden are planted flowers, herbs, and shrubs cited in these same sacred scriptures.
The Friends of the Northeast Interfaith Peace Garden are volunteers who promote the use of the labyrinth and gardens in the community through year-round programming and events.
This Sacred Place has been designated a Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.
